The City of Wayland in this approaching winter will snowplow only Main and Superior Streets, otherwise leaving residents to remove it from in front of their homes.
City Manager Josh Eggleston, responding to a question from from former Mayor Burrell Stein, explained that the city is underfunded for infrastucture projects and services by $7 million and just can’t afford to spend as much as $150,000 on another snow removal device.
Citizen Carol Beckwith, who lives in Wayland Township, said, “I see zero reason to purchase equipment for this,” and suggested residents pay a neighbor boy or girl to remove snow.
Also responding to a question, Eggleston said city crews want residents to leave their fallen leaves on the curb and not on the street for removal in the next few weeks.
In other business at the meeting Monday night, City Council:
- Was told by the city manager that the Public Safety Committee will take up the issues of a local ORV ordinance at a meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at City Hall Council Chambers.
- Learned that interviews for a new police chief are expected to be in the first week of November. Mark Rookus has been acting chief since the resignation of Mark Garnsey in the first week of September.
- Approved payment of up to $45,000 for the new police cruiser, most recently for the outfitting of the vehicle. Costs will be absorbed by funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
- Learned from Clerk Lee Ann Clausen that 439 absentee ballots were sent out for the Nov. 8 general election and only 152 have been returned. The clerk said in the previous two election city residents had a terrific return rate of better than 95 percent.
- Agreed to closing off Marlo Lane and Geneva Drive cul de sacs for a block party later this month.
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